Cancer Rates are Increasing; but Cancer Deaths are Falling

image of many colors of ribbons, generally used to symbolize different types of cancer

A message from your OB-GYN care team | Spring 2025

New global research brings both encouraging news and a serious warning for women’s health. Cancer deaths are falling — but a new threat tied to obesity is quietly rising. As your OB-GYN care team, we want to make sure you have the full picture.

A major study published in JCO Global Oncology found that early-onset cancer incidence — cancers diagnosed in adults under 50 — increased 3% globally over the past three decades. At the same time, mortality from these cancers dropped 17%, a testament to advances in early detection, treatment, and awareness. That’s genuinely good news. But buried in the same data is a finding that demands our attention: mortality related to high BMI increased nearly 93% between 1990 and 2021. That number is not a typo. In a generation, obesity-related cancer deaths have nearly doubled — and women, particularly those in their reproductive years, are disproportionately affected.

As your OB-GYN providers, this research lands squarely in our lane. The cancers most closely linked to obesity — endometrial, ovarian, cervical, and breast — are the very cancers we screen for, monitor, and help you prevent. This is a conversation we want to have with you openly and without alarm, because knowledge and action are the most powerful tools we have.

From the research: Early-onset cancer incidence rose 3% globally over 30 years, but mortality dropped 17% — reflecting real progress in care. However, cancer mortality tied to high BMI rose nearly 93% between 1990 and 2021, signaling an urgent need for action on obesity-related cancer risk. (JCO Global Oncology, 2025)

The Cancers Most Relevant to Women Under 50

Early-onset cancer — generally defined as cancer diagnosed before age 50 — has been rising across many cancer types globally. For women, several of the most concerning early-onset cancers have direct connections to gynecologic health, hormones, and body weight.

Endometrial (uterine) cancer

Of all cancers in women, endometrial cancer has the strongest association with obesity. Excess body fat increases circulating estrogen levels, which stimulates the uterine lining and raises cancer risk. Mayo Clinic gynecologic oncologists note that obesity increases estrogen levels, and the higher the estrogen, the greater the risk. Research shows that approximately 57% of endometrial cancers in the United States are thought to be attributable to being overweight or obese. This is no longer considered an older woman’s disease — as obesity rates among younger women rise, so do diagnoses in women in their 30s and 40s.

Cervical cancer

Cervical cancer remains one of the most preventable cancers we know of, yet it continues to claim thousands of lives each year — largely among women who miss or delay screening. Regular Pap smears and HPV testing can detect precancerous changes long before they become invasive cancer. Mayo Clinic recommends cervical cancer screening starting at age 21, continuing every three to five years depending on the type of test performed. If you’ve been putting off your Pap — please don’t. This screening saves lives.

Breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, and early detection dramatically improves outcomes. Johns Hopkins Medicine recommends that women at average risk begin annual screening mammograms at age 40. Women with specific risk factors — such as a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, or known BRCA gene mutations — may need to start earlier. Obesity is also a recognized risk factor for postmenopausal breast cancer, adding another layer of urgency to the BMI findings in this new research.

Ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic cancer, largely because it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Johns Hopkins emphasizes that knowing your risk factors and symptoms is critical — family history, BRCA mutations, and certain hormonal conditions all play a role. Symptoms can be subtle and easy to dismiss: bloating, pelvic pressure, feeling full quickly, and urinary changes. If these persist for more than two weeks, they deserve a conversation with your OB-GYN.

Why the Obesity-Cancer Connection Matters Right Now

The nearly 93% rise in BMI-related cancer mortality is not just a statistic — it represents real women, real families, and years of life lost to a largely preventable cause. Obesity drives cancer risk through several pathways: it elevates estrogen levels (particularly significant for hormone-sensitive cancers like endometrial and breast cancer), promotes chronic inflammation, causes insulin resistance, and disrupts the hormonal balance that your OB-GYN monitors closely at every visit.

What makes this especially important for women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s is that the groundwork for cancer risk is laid over decades. The choices and habits of early adulthood — nutrition, physical activity, weight management, and consistent screening — have a compounding effect on long-term health. This is not about appearance or judgment. It is about biology, and it is about giving your body the best possible protection against one of the most serious health threats women face.

At the same time, the 17% drop in early-onset cancer mortality is real cause for hope. It tells us that screening works, treatment is improving, and early detection saves lives. The goal of this article isn’t to frighten — it’s to motivate.

What the OB-GYN Visit Has to Do With All of This

Your annual well-woman exam is not just a formality. It is one of the most important cancer prevention appointments you have. At your visit, we can:

Perform or order your cervical cancer screening (Pap smear and/or HPV test)
Discuss your mammogram schedule and refer you for imaging
Review your personal and family history for hereditary cancer risks, including BRCA gene mutations
Evaluate any symptoms that could be early warning signs — irregular bleeding, bloating, pelvic pain
Have an honest, supportive conversation about weight, nutrition, and how they relate to your cancer risk and hormonal health
Discuss conditions like PCOS or endometriosis that may compound your risk

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and leading health systems agree: awareness, screening, and lifestyle are the three pillars of gynecologic cancer prevention. All three can begin — or be renewed — at your next appointment with us.

Steps You Can Take Starting Today

Don’t skip your annual exam. Even if you feel fine. Many of the cancers most linked to early-onset risk have no symptoms in their earliest, most treatable stages.
Know your family history. A first-degree relative with ovarian, breast, endometrial, or colon cancer changes your screening recommendations. Tell us at your next visit.
Talk to us about weight — without shame. We are not here to judge. We are here to help you understand your risk and support meaningful, sustainable change. Weight is a medical conversation, not a moral one.
Get your mammogram if you’re 40 or older. Johns Hopkins recommends annual mammograms starting at 40 for average-risk women. If you haven’t scheduled yours, now is the time.
Don’t ignore symptoms. Abnormal vaginal bleeding, persistent bloating, pelvic pain, or changes in your cycle are all worth a call to our office. Early reporting leads to early detection.
Consider the HPV vaccine if you haven’t received it. It is one of the only vaccines that directly prevents cancer and is recommended through age 26 — and in some cases up to age 45.

The Good News Is Real — and So Is Your Role in It

The 17% decline in early-onset cancer mortality didn’t happen by accident. It happened because of better screening tools, more effective treatments, and patients who showed up for their appointments and advocated for their health. You are part of that story.

The rise in BMI-related cancer mortality is a call to action — not a reason for despair. It is a signal that the work of prevention, which happens in exam rooms and daily habits and honest conversations, matters more than ever. We are here to do that work with you.

Your health is not a series of checkboxes. It is a living, evolving picture — and your OB-GYN team is privileged to be part of it. Please don’t wait for something to feel wrong before you come in. Come in while everything feels fine. That is exactly when we can do the most good.

Sources & Further Reading

El Camino Women’s Medical Group offers the latest Minimally Invasive Solutions for gynecologic problems. Drs. Amy Teng, Erika Balassiano, Pooja Gupta, and Vivian Wan, all members of AAGL (American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopy), are highly trained and experienced in the field of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery. Dr. Erika Balassiano has also completed a Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Fellowship under the supervision of world-renowned Dr. Camran Nezhat. Angel Wong, PA-C, is a physician assistant who sees patients for routine and lower-acuity care.

All of our physicians are El Camino Hospital doctors and operate and deliver at the Mountain View campus.

As part of El Camino Women’s Medical Group’s commitment to comprehensive care for women, we offer in-network mental health services with world-renowned psychiatrist Dr. Rania Awaad and experienced therapist Daniya Ahmed, LMFT. For women seeking to improve their health through a healthier diet, Mariam AlAgha, MS, is an excellent nutritionist with over a decade of success helping women achieve their health goals. Her services are also in network.

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